Earn CME by Viewing Documentary on Health System Failures

Family physicians have a unique opportunity to earn CME credit for tuning in to a documentary film(cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com) that examines the patchwork of health facilities, health care professionals and insurers that passes for health care in America; viewing a subsequent round-table discussion that features AAFP President Jeff Cain, M.D., of Denver, and other health care leaders; and completing an online assessment.

The documentary has been reviewed by the AAFP and is eligible for as many as 2 Prescribed CME credits.

According to a release from the filmmakers(www.escapefiremovie.com), Escape Fire focuses on problems experienced by health care providers from all sectors, including primary care physicians such as Erin Martin, M.D., a family physician from Hood River, Ore., who says she "struggles with not enough time for patients and prevention, and too little reimbursement." The documentary also features several health care leaders, including former CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, M.D.

Immediately after the film, viewers can tune in to a round-table discussion that features Cain and other physicians talking with CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, M.D.

"We know that patients are healthier when they have two things: insurance and … access to a usual source of primary care," Cain says during the discussion. "If we have better primary care that includes nutrition counseling, prevention and care of chronic disease, fewer people get sick."

Cain also notes during the round-table discussion that he is optimistic about the future of family medicine.

"We are in a different era now," Cain says. "People understand that effective primary care gives us higher quality and lower costs, but not only that -- patients are healthier and like that kind of care."